Method and apparatus of weaving knotted fabrics



2, w. A. RICE ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS WEAVING KNOTTED' FABRICS Original Filed Jan. 31, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 awn 9 W. A. RICE ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS OF WEAVING KNOTTED FABRICS Original Filed Jan. 51,-1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H $3. W. A. RICE ET AL 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS OF WEAVING KNOTTED FABRICS Original Filed Jan. 51, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 26, 1936 NlTED STATES PATENT OFFIQE METHOD AND APPARATUS OF WEAVING KNOTTED FABRICS Walter A. Rice, Yonkers, and Frank G. Shinn, Bronxville, N. Y.

31 Claims.

Our invention relates to a method of making knotted fabrics.

A purpose of our invention is to adapt methods of oriental knot application to loom weaving by using a gripper tuft yarn carrier to carry the yarn through the crossing of a pair of warp threads.

A further purpose is to use a tuft yarn tube above the warp threads and close to the fell, to cross the warp threads of each pair and to withdraw the tuft yarn from the tuft yarn tube, pulling it down beneath the warp threads, under the crossing from front to rear and up again through the crossed warp threads and forcing the warp thread crossing toward the fell, preferably by the carrier.

A further purpose is to use a tuft yarn gripper to advance a warp thread crossing point toward the fell in a pair of warp threads during the operation of tying a Persian knot.

A further purpose is to use a gripping tool to dip beneath the crossing point of a pair of warp threads, come up on the opposite side of the crossing, engage a tuft yarn and carry it back through beneath the crossing, advancing the crossing point toward the fell by the gripper either while it is being inserted or while it is being withdrawn or during both of these movements.

A further purpose is to form knots by a movable gripper and relatively fixed tube holder for each yarn, forming the knots between the reed and the fell and maintaining the reed in the warp threads at all, times. For a plain ground the tubes can be fixed continuously but for a design would shift for each set or row of tufts, being fixed for the time only during which the knots are actually formed.

In the placing of a tuft loop from end to end of the crossing ofa pair of warp threads, a further purpose is to start the tuft yarn at the front or fell end of the crossing and withdraw it at the rear of the crossing, forcing the crossing close to the fell before complete withdrawal.

A further purpose is to form a double crossing in a pair of warp threads, to advance one crossing toward the breastplate or fell and to hold it in this advanced position or to further advance it toward the breastplate or fell, while drawing a tuft yarn down between the warp threads at the fell, rearwardly under the crossing and then up back of the crossing. I

A further purpose is to hold a pair of crossed warp threads with the crossing close to the breastplate or fell while drawing a tuft yarn under the crossing, using the means for drawing the tuft yarn part of the time to press the crossing point close to the fell and using the tuft yarn the remainder of the time to hold it there.

A further purpose is to alternatively effect a crossing by separate means or by a tuft yarn carrier, and subsequently to advance the crossing toward a breastplate or fell by the tuft yarn carrier.

A further purpose is to guide a tuft yarn carrier into position for engagement of its yarn by a gripper.

A further purpose is alternatively in connection with the other parts of this invention to form the crossing in a pair of warp threads by partial shedding of the pair and shifting the upper warp thread of the pair across the lower or shifting the lower thread from below across the upper to a point beyond the ultimate position of the thread shifted, passing the shifting means into position to engage the other thread of the pair or reshedding to secure this engagement and then shifting the second thread of the pair in a reverse direction to that of the first thread of the pair while partially releasing the shift of the thread first shifted, so as to equalize the shifting, making the crossing symmetrical. Where the shifting is done from above, it is preferably done by a tuft yarn gripper and before the gripper has engaged the tuft yarn.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

We prefer to illustrate our invention by one main form only with slight modifications, selecting a form which is practical, effective and re- F liable and which at the same time well illustrates the principles involved.

Figures 1 to 36 illustrate diagrammatically and in fragmentary form mechanism by which our methods may be carried out.

Figures 1, 3, 5 and '7 are top plan views showing mechanism in different positions corresponding with progressive steps in carrying out our methods.

Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8 are sections taken upon lines 2-2, l4, 6-6, and 8B, respectively, on Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7.

Figures 9 to 12 are perspective views corres'ponding generally to Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Figures 13, 15, 1'7, 19 and 21 are top plan views 0 showing apparatus in different positions for carrying out the different steps of the same process, except that the shifting of warp threads is effected differently from the manner in which this is done in the earlier figures,

Figures 14, 16, 18, and 22 are sections upon lines |4|4, Iii-I6, l8l8, 20-20 and 2222, respectively, of Figures 13, 15, 1'7, 19 and 21.

Figure 21a is a fragmentary perspective view of a comb seen in Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a section corresponding generally to Figure 21, showing slightly more structure, but still fragmentarily, illustrating a further step in our process.

Figure 24 is a section corresponding generally to Figure 22 but showing a still further step in the practice of the method or process.

Figure 25 is a section showing a modified form of gripper which may be used.

Figures 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 are sections taken upon lines 2626, 2828, 3030, 32-32, 34-44 and 36-46 in Figures 27, 29, 31, 33, and 3'7, respectively.

Figures 27, 29, 31, 33, 35 and 37 are perspectives showing the relation between outside warpthread-shifting mechanism and the grippers and tubes, where the shifting is done by outside mechanism.

Figure 38 is a section corresponding to Figure 36 but showing left-hand threads as contrasted with the right-hand threads of Figure 36.

Figure 39 is a section corresponding generally with Figure 36, showing right-hand threads but showing the warp threads upon which the Persian knots of these figures are placed in different pair grouping from the pair grouping shown in Figure 36 with right-hand threads and in Figure 3'7 with left-hand threads.

Figures 40 and 41 show in perspective two positions in the operation of a reversal of the other figures in that the grippers operate near the fell and the tubes are back of the grippers.

In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

This application is a continuation for certain purposes of our application No. 533,846 for Method and apparatus for weaving knotted fabrics, filed April 29, 1931.

In the application of tuft yarn knots to crossed warp threads we supply the tuft yarn through a guiding tube so that the end of the yarn will be presented close to the fell and above the warp threads, cross the warp threads before or after the tuft yarn is presented and pull the tuft yarn lengthwise through beneath the crossing, down from above at the fell or front end, lengthwise beneath the crossing and up through between the warp threads back of the crossing. In connection with this form there is considerable advantage in using the tuft yarn carrier (gripper) by which the tuft yarn is pulled, first as a means of crossing the warp threads, next as a means of forcing the crossing toward the fell and finally as a means of drawing the tuft yarn through while at the same time holding the crossing close to the fell or advancing it further in that direction, so that the tuft yarn loop and the knot will be placed as close to the fell as can conveniently be done. The knot will thus require as little movement in beating up as possible.

The special advantage in this short movement lies not in the distance of movement itself, since the knot can be beaten up for a considerable distance along the lengths of the warp threads, but in the fact that during this beating up, the knot as formed is likely to be disarranged sufficiently to alter the original relative heights of the ends of the tuft yarn.

With a very short distance of ultimate movement, one end of the tuft yarn at least and preferably both ends of the tuft yarn can be held during the beating up and in preparation for cutting one or both of the ends. This secures a greater uniformity of tuft end projection than can otherwise be attained and without waste of tuft yarn material in cutting or shearing.

The figures are shown as forming right-hand or left-hand loops or knots according to whether, for example, the same threads of the different pairs be initially raised and drawn over the mating threads toward the bottom of the sheet as in Figure 3 or lowered and drawn under the mating pairs toward the bottom of the sheet as in Figure 21. Figures 13 to 24, inclusive, differ from 1 to 11, inclusive, as regards the positions of the warp threads at the fell. The warp threads lie in their natural positions, equally spaced in Figures 13 to 24, inclusive, and are merely equally and reliably spaced there, whereas in Figures 1 to 11 the warp threads are artificially separated at the fell into pairs for the purpose of giving added room through which the grippers may pass upwardly.

The pairing of the warp threads for giving this added room is different from the pairing of the warp threads for the formation of knots, for the reason that of adjoining mated warp threads forming pairs upon which knots are tied one thread of each pair as they are brought together at the fell in Figures 1 to 11 is grouped with one thread of another pair at the fell to form a different pairing to space the threads upon which the knots are to be placed.

The difference in pairing becomes clearer when it is remembered that warp threads upon opposite sides of the space for passage of the grippers are crossed and a tuft loop passed from one end of this crossing to the other is re-aligned when the warp threads are released, so as to form the loop into a Persian knot by the mere operation of uncrossing.

In Figures 1 to 12 the warp threads shown are for convenience divided into pairs 45, 46, 45', 45, 45 46 etc., in which 45 and 46 are paired for tuft formation, with corresponding pairing of 45' with 46, 45 with 25 etc.

In the views above the warp threads extend from a fell 4'! to a series of heddles 48, 49, 66', 49, 48 49 etc., by which shed formations are controlled.

The dents 59 of the familiar reed are. preferably always maintained in position between the warp threads, and one of the more important features of our invention lies in the fact that our method and the mechanism described require. no interfer- I ence with this desirable condition. are desirable.

The lay is shown at 5| and the shuttle at 52. Except as regards spacing at the fell no change need be made inany of these parts as so far described from those of the normal loom. The comb applied at the fell to maintain spacing of the warp threads or to separate them into pairs spaced to a greater distance than the natural spacing of the warp threads, offers considerable advantage over the operation upon the warp threads without the assistance of such a comb.

The warp thread spacing comb 53 is shown in Figures 1 to 12 and is located close to or at the fell. Warp thread spacing teeth 54 may be used for the purpose merely of maintaining uniform spacing of the warp threads at the fell in order that there may be reliable, and uniform, spacing between the warp threads of the pair upon which a knot is to be formed as in the remaining figures Open dents or as with teeth 54 may give an artificial spacing to facilitate emergence of a tuft yarn carrier.

The comb 53 is conventionally shown as mounted upon an arm 55 pivoted at 55 to a rod 56 and operated through mechanism which it has not been considered necessary to show. It is sufficient to explain that the comb is lifted up to or is dropped below the warp threads at appropriate times in the operation so that the comb will be in position between the warp threads at the time when the grippers are passing between crossed threads of pairs of warp threads to permit insertion of a tuft yarn loop which is later to become a so-called Persian knot.

Because it is our intention to accommodate the present invention as far as possible for use with existent rug mechanism or with mechanism modeled after it and required to be changed as little as possible from such mechanism, we have illus trated conventionally part of this mechanism, particularly in Figure 23.

Though we recognize that new mechanism can be built to great advantage, carrying out our processes or methods, allowing full leeway to the. Wishes of the designer to get the best possible result from the processes or methods, we also see that the mechanism will be greatly cheapened by using existing Axminster rug looms as a basis within which to place our features with as little change from the existing mechanism as possible.

The illustration chosen includes two types of tuft yarn carrier in the form of tubes 58 and grippers 59. It might be stated that the tubes 58 in this case need not move bodily (except as they move in the sequence to supply successive tubes from an Axminster type chain) but do form guides not only to allow the tuft yarn to be pulled through them from the spool but also to maintain the positions of the projecting tuft yarn ends where they can be engaged reliably by the grippers.

In Figures 1 and 2 the warp threads have been formed in a shed, one of each pair of mated (spaced) warp threads being in the upper shed level and the other of each pair being in the lower shed level. Itis evident that the shed can be formed from the level warpage either'by lifting one set of threads or by lowering the other set of warp threads.

However the shed may have been formed, it is our intention to cross one warp thread of each pair over or under its mating warp thread in one direction or the other (according to whether right-hand knots or left-hand knots are to be produced) and subsequently to slightly release the lateral throw of each thread shifted and shift the mating threads part way in the opposite direction so as to produce laterally symmetrical double crossings 60 and 6! in each pair. Of these crossings that at 5E] nearer to the fell is used beneficially for our process or method and the crossing BI is a resultant crossing of which no benefit is taken except as it insures that the warp threads of the pair when released will uncross, that is, will tend to return to parallelism.

The actual crossing of the warp threads can be effected in different ways and two of these ways are shown, the one operating from above upon those warp threads 45, 45', etc., one of each pair, which lie in the upper shed and the other operating from below against those warp threads 46, 46', etc. (one from each pair), which lie in the lower shed level. It will be noted that because of the different direction in which the warp threads 45, 45, etc., in the upper level must be shifted to cross over the warp sheds as compared with the direction which the warp threads 46, 46', etc., of the lower shed must be shifted to cross laterally beyond the threads 45, 45, etc., within the upper level, these two means of crossing the warps for any particular shed formation both will produce right-handed or both will produce left-handed Persian knots.

However, if the shed be reversed between knot formations so that in one shed formation the warp threads 45, 45, etc., are uppermost and in the other shed formation the warp threads 46, 46', etc., will be uppermost, one form will produce right-hand knots and the other left-hand knots whether the shifting be of the upper or of the 5 lower warp threads with the same pairing.

Describing first that form of our invention in which the warp threads are crossed by the tuft yarn carrierin this case by the gripper, the form shown in Figures 1-l2the grippers are dipped beneath the upper shed level in position between adjoining pairs of warp threads as distinguished from between the two warp threads constituting the pair. The grippers are then shifted laterally to carry the upper warp thread of each pair across the lower warp thread of the same pair to a lateral position such as is shown in Figures 3 and 4 with the difference, however, that in Figures 3 and 4 the gripper has been progressed further downwardly to a position where with lateral movement, it will engage (on the opposite side of the gripper) with the lower warp thread of the corresponding pair. The gripper is then shifted laterally not-only to engage but to carry with it the lower warp thread of the pair, at the same time partially releasing the lateral divergence of the upper warp thread of the pair until the two warp threads of the pair are diverted laterally to equal extents and the crossing is completed with the parts in symmetrical position as seen in Figures 5 and 6. I

Instead of having the gripper dip further down beyond its position for engagement with the upper warp thread of the pair in order to engage on its opposite side with the lower warp thread of the pair, the lower warp thread of each pair can be lifted into positon for engagement by the gripper without need of further depression of the gripper for this purpose.

Because it is desirable to have the grippers swing progressively toward the fell from the beginning of the operation until the grippers have grasped the end of the tuft yarn, and because there is no objection to levelling the warp threads at as early a time as practicable, these movements will ordinarily be concurrent and the question will not be raised as to whether the grippers have lowered or the warp threads of the lower shed level have lifted as both of these may easily take place at the same time. 69

Between the positon of Figures 5 and 6 and the position of Figures '7 and 8 the grippers first move lengthwise of the warp threads toward the fell and swing in a clockwise direction as viewed in the figures until the clamping ends 62 and 63 65 of the grippers 59 engage with the tuft yarn ends 64 which project from the lower ends 55 of the tubes 58. The guides E56 insure accurate positioning of the ends of the tubes 58.

It will be noted that the grippers have advanced bodily a considerable distance toward the fell between the position of Figure 4 and their gripping engagement with the tuft yarn and that, entering the warp thread level back of the crossing points, the jaws or ends 62 and 63 emerge up- 7 wardly through the warp thread level at points upon the opposite side of the crossinglengthwise of the warp threadsat points near to the fell.

After the grippers have engaged the tuft yarn ends the grippers turn or swing in counter-clockwise direction and continue to move bodily toward the fell so as to further advance the crossing point toward the fell and ultimately to wholly clear from the warp thread level (Figure 7) so as to hold the tuft yarn above the warp threads and release the crossing. The warp threads of the individual pairs then straighten out in parallel position. This straightening out automatically transforms a tuft yarn loop passing lengthwise of the warp threads across from one side of the crossing to the other into a knot of Persian character.

The purpose of shifting the crossing point 60 toward the fell is to have the actual knot formation occur as close to the fell as possible and to require as little shifting of the knot toward the fell as possible during the transfer of the knot and the beating up of the knot with or without beating up the weft threads 67, of which one or several can be used.

Because it is desirable to have the grippers swing progressively toward the fell from the time of beginning the operation until the grippers have clasped the end of the tuft yarn and have returned to a position in which they have carried the yarn back and up between the warp threads, and because there is no objection to levelling the warp threads at as early a time as practicable, the movements of dipping the grippers into or through the shed and of swinging them toward the fell are preferably concurrent and the continued movement of the grippers bodily toward the fell while withdrawing them counter-clockwise and bodily upwardly are also preferably concurrent and provide for a gradual and progressive advance of the crossing 6| toward the fell. This advance is preferably continued even after the grippers emerge from the warp threads, as illustrated in the movement of the gripper toward the fell between the positions of Figures 22 and 23.

When the grippers have emerged from beneath the warp thread level and the warp threads have correspondingly uncrossed, forming knots of the tuft yarns which were merely loops up to that time and placing the several working parts in some such position as that shown in Figure 22, the warp threads may be shedded, and the weft threads 61 may be introduced in place either by a shuttle as shown or by any other suitable means, introducing one or more weft shots across the warp threads in position to be beaten up along with the beating up of the knots. This beating operation is seen in Figure 23 in which the tube guide 66 and the comb at the fell are both moved out of position at some such stage in the process as that shown in Figure 10.

It may be desirable to hold not only the attached end of the tuft yarn but the free end also if the free end is to be cut as a final operation.

This cutting of the free end wastes a certain small amount of tuft yarn which is held in the grippers, but gives perfect uniformity of tuft height. On the other hand our method is accurate enough so that the length of tuft yarn in the end intermediately held by the gripper can be very accurately predetermined and the otherwise attached end of the tuft yarn can be cut to correspond with its length with a minimum loss of yarn.

The saving of tuft yarn otherwise wasted in cutting, noted above is of importance because the tuft yarn is relatively more expensive than the other yarns or threads used in the weaving.

Though there is no direct holding of the attached end of the tuft yarn, such as there is for the end of the tuft yarn held by the grippers, it is possible nevertheless to hold the attached end of the yarn quite effectively up to the time of cutting this yarn, since the tuft yarn passes from the spool to the tube and the freedom with which it can be drawn from the spool may be controlled readily by corresponding braking of the spool against rotation, applying the braking preferably for the short time of need only and omitting this braking for the rest of the time of operation.

Holding both ends of the tuft yarn to and through the operation of beating up the knots maintains a completeness of control of the length of the pile and a tightness of the knot which are not otherwise attainable. If holding continue through the cutting operation it permits a very much more exact determination of the length of the free end of the tuft yarn than is true when the latter is not held through the cutting operation.

The tubes will normally be carried by an Axminster chain and equipment of the type already existing, shown diagrammatically in Figure 23 where a sprocket is shown at 68 and a chain for one set of tubes appears at 69. The frame 10 supports one set of tubes which receive their tuft yarn from a spool it. Each frame in turn frees from the chain and swings under the control of bar 12. The frame is turned about a shaft 13 by arm 14 and rod 15. This brings successive sets of tubes in turn into the position shown in Figures 1 to 6, 13 to 20, so that their tuft yarns can be drawn off by the grippers. The guards or guides at 56 are shown as withdrawn from their operative position in Figures 7, 8 and 21-23.

The movement of the grippers need not be complicated by carrying the grippers upon the chains since the same set of grippers can be made to serve their functions for all of the different tubes and chain-carried cooperating parts. It has not been considered necessary to show the structure for these functions as it can easily be accommodated so as to keep the grippers out of the way while tubes are being swung into their successive positions and then to give the grippers the movements of vertical and horizontal transla tion, lateral movement in opposite directions for crossing and swinging movement first to engage the tuft yarns and then to withdraw with the tuft yarns.

All of the clockwise movement of the grippers from the position of Figures 1 and 2, and 13 and 14, until the tuft yarn is gripped as in Figures and 23 takes place without movement of the tuft yarn and without requiring other movement of the gripper jaws with respect to each other than to have them in open position when they reach the tuft yarn and to have them close about it in the position of Figures 20 and 23.

Figures 13 to 22 and 24 to 3'? correspond generally with Figures 1 to 12 in the operations intended to be depicted-though with different chosen positions for illustration in order to increase the total showing with a minimum number of figures-but use a different means of effecting the crossing of the warp threads from the means used in Figures 1 to 12.

It might be noted at this point that the use of the comb at the fell for spacing the warp threads differently from their normal spacing so as to provide openings for the operations performed, illustrated in Figures 9, and 11, is broad in its application and is capable of "advantageous use with any of the various means of transfer of tuft yarn from one end of a warp crossing point to the other end thereof, whether this transfer be effected by a curved or bent tube, as in the earlier figures of my application Serial No. 533,846 above, or by needles in an application companion thereto, Serial No. 533,847, or by the gripper transfer mechanism of the present application, or by the gripper and tube transfer also shown in my application Serial No. 533.846, or any other form in which it is desirable to have passage of the transfer mechanism downwardly or upwardly through the warp threads close to the fell. It is intended to be claimed broadly by us both in its method aspect and in its mechanism form. Its use is advantageous moreover whether the crossing be effected by the transfer mechanism itself or by other mechanism, such as the pins '16 herein.

The second means for crossing shown effects also a double crossing as in the earlier figures and does it by partially shedding the warp threads so that corresponding warp threads, one from each of the pairs, lie in the upper shed level and the other warp threads, one from each of the pairs, lie in the lower shed level, as in the earlier figures. Instead, however, of shifting the upper warp threads over the lower warp threads the lower warp threads are shifted across under the upper Warp threads; and instead of effecting the shifting by the tuft yarn carrier it is done by a transfer comb comprising pins 16 mounted upon a back TI.

The comb by which warp crossing is effected is lifted or the lower warp threads are depressed until thepins 13 of the comb lie between the successive pairs of threads. The comb is then shifted laterally as seen in Figure 15 so that its pins transfer the lower warp threads far enough beyond the upper warp threads for the upper warp threads to be lowered on the opposite sides of the transfer comb pinsor for the comb pins to be further lifteduntil the transfer comb pins lie between the warp threads of the individual pairs.

The comb is next again shifted laterally with respect to the warp threads, this time back, that is in a direction opposite to its previous lateral shift and approximately half of the distance of the initial shifting, in order that the comb pins 16 shall carry thosewarp threads which formerly lay in the upper shed level back with the pins a part of the initial shifting distance while releasing the lateral shifting tension upon the lower warp threads of the pairs, thus equalizing the crossings and making the crossings symmetrical, as seen in Figures 17 and 19. If the warp threads have not previously been brought to a common shed level this is now done.

When the crossings have been effected and equalized, as described, the grippers may be dipped beneath the common shed level to the position seen in Figure 18, after which the operations correspond with those illustrated in Figures 1 to 12.

Figures 26 and .27 show the initial position with the grippers and pins both out of the warp yarn pairs and the pairs uncrossed.

In Figures 13 and 14 the warp threads of the pairs have been shedded about the transfer comb pins. The path of the gripper points is dotted in.

In Figures 15, 16, 28 and 29 the first step of the crossing has been performed, in that the lower warp threads of the pairs have been shifted to an excessive extent and the pins are ready, when lifted, to engage the upper warp threads.

In Figures 17 and 31 the comb pins have been brought back to the intermediate position bringing the upper warp threads back with them. In

Figure 18 two conditions are shown which would not be required by the showing of the warp threads in Figures Hand 31 namely, that the sheds have been levelled and that the grippers have dipped between the warp threads.

In Figures 19, 20, 32 and 33 the grippers are shown as engaging the free tuft ends preliminary to withdrawal of the tufts by counter-clockwise and upward movement of the grippers.

In Figures 21, 22, 34 and 35 the grippers have been withdrawn from the warp yarn at points close to thefell, allowing the crossed yarn pairs to uncross and in doing so to change into a knot each longitudinally extending tuft loop previously reaching from front to back of the crossing through it.

It will be noted that the grippers are useful to advance the crossing toward the fell during substantially all of the movement of the grippers,

'warp threads they engage physically with the crossed warp threads to effect the advance by actual gripper contact, but after the grippers have emerged they pull the tuft yarn and by it advance the crossing until the warp threads have straightened and then advance or tend to advance the knot.

It will be noted that both ends of the tuft yarn are here held, the free end by the grippers and the attached end by its connection through the tube with the yarn spool. In this position the transfer comb may still remain in substantially the location at which it was used to form the crossing but in Figure 23 the transfer comb has been shifted to move it out of the Way of the reed and the reed has been brought up to the fell to beat up the knots against the fell. This beating up can take place whether the weft thread or threads (see Figure 8) has or have been placed or not, preferably after the placing of the weft.

In Figure 24 the knife 18 has been used to: cut the tuft yarn ends, either both ends if desired or the attached ends only if reliance is to be placed upon the accuracy of free tuft end extension to insure uniformity of the free ends with the previously attached but now out ends.

In Figures 1 to 24 the gripper jaws are manipulated by bars 19 and 80 to open and close the jaws 62 and 63 as required. Such operations are well known in the art of weaving.

In Figure the grippers are somewhat similarly supported and operated by bars 19' and 80 and carry arms 62 and 63' but the arms operate somewhat differently from those in the other figures. The arms in Figure close sideways and are capable of movement into different levels, also, so as to more readily pass through the openings between the warp threads. However, they engage with the tuft yarn by movement down from above, wiping over the surface of the tube so as to avoid danger of failure to grasp the tuft yarn ends by reason of variance in the positions of the tuft yarn ends within the tubes. They thus snap into engagement with the tuft yarn ends as the grippers slip over the ends of the tubes. The wiping action can, of course, be secured by upward movement of the tube or downward movement of the gripper jaws, or by combined movements of the two.

In Figures 34 and 36 the form of knot 81 shown is right-hand, whereas in Figure 38 a left-hand knot 32 is shown, each knot being formed upon a pair of warp threads just as in the case of the corresponding right-hand knot in Figure 36.

As suggested the difference in the knot may be effected, for example, by reversing the shedding before the tuft yarn is introduced to bring into the upper shed level the warp threads which had been in the lower shed level and vice versa.

In Figure 39 the knot formed is a right-hand knot but has been formed upon differently paired warp threads than are used for the knots in Figures 34, 36 and 38.

The comb 53 in Figures 1-12 is provided with slots 83 and sloping upper surfaces 84 between the slots so that the threads will be guided into the slots, two threads to each slot, whereby the two threads of each pair (for knotting purposes) will be held in separate slots and thereby spaced at 85 so as to give additional room for the grippers to pass through in their movements to engage the tuft yarn ends. In Figures 13-24 inclusive the comb 53 is of a different character, having slots 83 corresponding with the normal warp positions so that these normal positions can be maintained notwithstanding stress upon the warp threads.

In the earlier figures the high edges of comb teeth pass upwardly between the threads of the respective pairs splitting the pairs, one thread of each pair, which for present convenience of description we may regard as the right thread of each pair, viewed facing the fell in the figures, falls into. the slot immediately adjacent the high edge of the corresponding warp spacing tooth, whereas the left thread of each corresponding pair rests upon an intermediate portion of the downwardly sloping tooth surface and is guided by it into the slot at the other end of the tooth where it is held along with the right thread of the next pair adjoining at the left. Thus in each slot are gathered together the right thread of one mating pair of warp threads and the left thread of the next left adjoining mating pair of warp threads. This takes place concurrently across the loom. This gathering of the threads gives approximately double the normal spacing between the warp threads of each mating pair, providing the extra room without interfering with crossing of the one warp thread across its neighbor after sufficient shedding for this purpose has been provided and regardless of whether the crossing be effected from the top or bottom by grippers or by pins or by some other of the various methods which have been proposed and which we have not considered it necessary to show. As the threads are gathered the threads of the same pair (that is, the tWOI threads upon which a knot is to be formed) lie in different slots.

The advancement of the crossing point close to the fell results in formation of the knot so close to it that the knot will be disturbed but little in beating against the fell even if its ends be not held. This is true because the knot shown in Figure instead of being loose and free at its sides as shown in this figure is much more closely held both by reason of its warp threads being much closer together than shown in that figure and because adjoining warp threads on both sides of the pair shown in that figure hold the knot in closely restricted position, keeping it in a fairly tight knot formation of which no suggestion is given in the illustration of Figures 35 and 36. In other words, the knots of Figures 34-37 will in actual practice be very much more tightly drawn than appears from these figures and will be supported against loosening by the closeness of the adjoining warp threads both within the pair and outside of it. This condition is assisted by the fact that the comb at the fell is now retracted so as to allow the warp threads to resume their normal positions and by the presence of the weft thread or threads 61 which will ordinarily be shot into place before the knots are beaten up, so that the weft thread or threads will be beaten up with them. This, however, is

not essential as the knots can be beaten up sep- 3 arately from the weft threads.

Figures and 41 show reversal of the other figures in that the tubes 58 are at the back and the grippers 59 pass down in front of the crossing and up in back of the crossing. It offers the disadvantage that the crossing cannot to advantage be forced toward the fell except as the pins 16 on bar T1 are used for this purpose. The tubes 58 retaining the attached ends of the tuft yarns and the grippers holding the otherwise free ends will be advanced toward the fell above the warp threads as the knot is beaten up.

It will be evident that the position of the knot close to the fell in Figure 8, for example, causes the warp threads to engage it more tightly and support it laterally much better than if the knots were formed at a greater distance from the fell, cooperating with the short distance of travel to protect the knot against disturbance even when its ends are not held during beating up.

Notwithstanding this we view the holding of the ends of the knot during the beating up as a considerable advance even when applied to a knot formed as close to the fell as we contemplate, and a much greater advance if the knot be formed further from the fel1the advantage of holding increasing with the distance of travel of the knot.

The holding of the ends is well illustrated in Figures 8,12,22,23 and 35 in that the grippers have held and can continue to hold the initial free end of the tuft yarn and the other end of the tuft yarn, shown in these figures as passing up through the tuft yarn tube, is connected through to the spool and can be held taut with any degree of tension desired by braking the spool.

From the position in Figure 35 the knots may be beaten up directly or they may be beaten up after the insertion of a weft shot or shots 88 of which one weft shot example is shown in Figure 8. Our invention is suitable for use with any shedding to accommodate the weft and with any normal weft insertion whether by shuttle or by needle and whatever the number of weft threads inserted.

It will be evident that our invention contemplates broadly supporting a tuft yarn close to the fell and withdrawing it from its point of support rearwardly under the crossing, preferably with theadvance of the crossing point toward the fell. This is accomplished without interfering with the normal position and character of operation of the reed and is rendered much more highly effective by using the carrier through which the yarn is drawn into position as the tool by which to advance the crossing point toward the fell.

It will further be evident that the method and means for crossing the warp threads is highly effective and desirable and cooperates not only with the rest of the broad invention but with the use of the same carrier to advance the crossing point toward the fell.

It will further be evident that the special separation of the warp threads into pairs at the fell, different in pairing from the pairing which is to receive the tuft yarn loops and knots, greatly facilitates the reliable emergence of the grippers into position to withdraw the tuft yarn.

In view of our invention and disclosure, variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of our invention without copying the structure shown, and we, therefore, claim all such in so far as'they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn tubes and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in locating the yarn tubes approximately at the fell of the fabric in line with pairs of warp threads, in crossing the warp threads in pairs, in inserting the grippers back of the crossing points and passing them upwardly in front of the crossing points of the warpthreads to engage and hold respective free ends of the tuft yarns, in withdrawing the grippers to carry the yarns from the tubes between the warp threads to form the knots and in holding both ends of the tuft yarns while inserting weft thread and beating it to place.

2. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn tubes andvgrippers in operative relation to the warps of a loom, which consists in locating the yarn tubes approximately at the fell of the fabric in line with pairs of warp threads, in crossing the warp threads in pairs, in inserting the grippers from above back of the respective crossing points and passing them under and then upwardly in front of the crossing points of the warp thread pairs to engage and hold the free ends of the tuft yarn, at the same time advancing the crossing points by the grippers and in withdrawing the grippers to carry the tuft yarns from the tubes between the warp threads to form the knots.

3. The method of inserting tufts and forming knots upon warp threads in a pile fabric by yarn further between the warp threads while moving them bodily toward the fell to advance the crossing points, in bringing the ends of the guides up between the warp threads in advance of the crossing points and close to the fell, in holding the free ends of the tuft yarns at the fell, in grasping them by the front ends of the guides, and in withdrawing the front ends of the yarn guides downwardly, rearwardly and upwardly and holding the yarn in the guides while inserting weft thread and beating up the weft preparatory to cutting the attached ends of the tuft yarns.

4. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn tubes and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in locating the yarn tubes guiding the free ends of the tuft yarn approximately at the fell of the fabric in line with respective pairs of warp threads, in crossing the warp threads one with the other of each pair, in inserting the grippers back of the crossing points and passing them under and then upwardly in front of the crossing points of the warp threads to engage and hold the free ends of the tuft yarn and in withdrawing the grippers to carry the yarn from the tubes between the warp threads, releasing the crossed warp threads thus permitting them to draw the yarn loops into knots and at the same time advancing the free ends of the tuft yarns above the warp threads close to the fell in order to form the knots as close to the fell as possible.

5. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn tubes and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in locating the yarn tubes guidingthe free ends of the yarn approximately at the fell of the fabric in line with respective pairs of warp threads, in crossing the warp threads one with the other of each pair, in inserting the grippers back of the crossing points and passing them under and then upwardly in front of the crossing points of the warp threads to engage and hold the free ends of the tuft yarn, in withdrawing the grippers to carry the yarn from the tubes between the warps to position the knots and at the same time advancing the free ends above the warps close to the fell to form the knots as close to the fell as possible, in shedding the warp threads, in inserting a shot of weft through the shed and beating it up while holding the two ends of each of the tufts by the tubes and grippers.

6. The method of forming Persian knots in operative relation to the warps of a loom, which consists in crossing the warp threads one with the other of each pair, in carrying the free end of each tuft yarn from a point above the warp threads in front of the crossing point and close to the'fell, beneath the warp threads and up between them at a point back of the crossing point and at the same time advancing the crossing point.

'7. The method of forming Persian knots with yarn tubes and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in crossing the warp threads one with the other of each pair, in carrying the free ends of the tuft yarn from points above the warp threads in front of the crossing points and close to the fell, beneath the warp threads and up between them at points back of the crossing points, in pulling the free ends of the tuft yarn forward to points near the fell to form the knot and to carry it as close to the fell as possible, in inserting a shot of weft between the warp threads and in beating the weft up to the fell while both ends of the tuft yarn are held close to the fell.

8. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn carriers and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in crossing the warp threads one with the other of each pair, in utilizing the grippers to move the crossing points of the warp threads toward the fell, in gripping the free ends of the tuft yarn and bringing them down between the warp threads in front of the crossing points, up between them back of the crossing points and then advancing the free ends toward the fell to form the knots and shift them toward the fell and in additionally moving the crossing points of the warp threads toward the fell during the transfer of the free ends of the tuft yarn between the warp threads and toward the fell.

9. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn guides and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in crossing the warp threads in pairs and utilizing the grippers to engage the free ends of the tuft yarn and to transfer them downwardly and then upwardly beyond the crossing points into close relation with the fell.

10. The method of forming Persian knots, using yarn guides and grippers in operative relation to the warp threads of a loom, which consists in crossing the warp threads in pairs and utilizing the grippers to engage the free: ends of the tuft yarn and to transfer them downwardly and then upwardly beyond the crossing point and into close relation with the fell and at the same time advancing the crossing toward the fell by engagement of the grippers.

11. The steps in the method of making Persian rugs in a loom having warp threads, mechanism for shedding the threads and mechanism for introducing weft threads and for beating up the weft threads, which consists in laterally parting the warp threads at the fell to increase the ex sting spacing of the warp threads one thread from the other to an amount equal to the tuft yarn pitch, in crossing the warp threads of the individual pairs, in feeding the tuft yarn to position above the warp threads near the fell, in engaging the tuft yarn ends from beneath the warp threads through the additional spacing provided and pulling the tuft yarns through from front to back of the crossings, in advancing the crossings toward the fell and uncrossing the crossings to form the tuft yarn loops previously laid into Persian knots.

12. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in presenting the tuft yarns above the warp threads at the fell, in crossing the warp threads in pairs between the grippers and the tuft yarns, in dipping the grippers between the warp threads back of the crossing points, pushing the grippers bodily forward and turning them to bring them up in front of the crossing points, engaging the tuft yarns by the grippers and withdrawing the tuft yarns by the grippers backwardly from front to back of the crossings and releasing the crossings to form knots of the tuft yarns thus laid.

13. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, heddles controlling the warm threads,

tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in presenting the tuft yarns above the warp threads at the fell, in crossing the warp threads in pairs between the grippers and the fell, in dipping the grippers between the crossed warp threads back of the crossing points, bringing them up in front of the crossing points to engage the tuft yarns and withdrawing the tuft yarns by the grippers backwardly from front to back of the crossings, and concurrently advancing the crossings toward the fell, and releasing the crossings to place Persian knots upon the Warp thread pairs close to the fell.

14. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in using one of the tuft yarn carriers to cross one warp thread of each pair over the second warp thread of the same pair and pull the second warp thread of the pair back to form symmetrical crossings, in passing the grippers down between warp threads beneath the crossings and up between warp threads to receive and grasp the tuft yarns while progressively advancing the grippers bodily toward the fell to advance the crossing points and in concurrently withdrawing the tuft yarns by the grippers back between the crossings and moving the grippers toward the fell to further advance the crossings of the individual pairs and thus advance the knots toward the fell and withdrawing the grippers from the warp threads to release the crossings and cause the tuft yarn loops previously laid to become Persian knots.

15. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in guiding the tuft yarns into predetermined positions close to the fell, in crossing the warp threads in pairs, in passing the grippers bodily downwardly beneath the warp threads and under the crossings of the warp threads forming the pairs and toward the fell to engage the tuft yarns, and advancing them bodily toward the fell, and in reversely moving the loops as close to the fell as possible and in uncrossing the warp thread pairs to change the loops into Persian knots.

16. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in crossing the warp threads in pairs, in guiding tuft yarns into positions near the fell and above the warp threads, in pulling the tuft yarns down between the threads of individual pairs of warp threads, in pulling the tuft yarns back beneath the crossings to positions away from the fell back of the crossings while concurrently advancing the crossings, in pulling the tuft yarns up between the threads of the individual pairs of warp threads, in uncrossing the warp threads and in beating up the knots so formed against the fell.

"bring them into position to engage the tuft'ya'rn 17. The methodof weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting-at a fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in crossing the warp threads in pairs, in placing tuft yarns in positions near the fell and above the warp threads, in pulling the tuft yarns down between the threads of paired warp threads, under the crossings of the respective pairs from their positions near the fell to positions away from the fell back of the crossings while concurrently advancing the crossings, in pulling the tuft yarns up between the warp threads of corresponding pairs, in uncrossing the warp threads and in beating up the knots so formed against the fell while holding both ends of the tuft yarn.

18. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in crossing the warp threads in pairs, in placing tuft yarns in positions near the fell and above the warp threads, in pulling the tuft yarns back under the crossings from their-positions near the fell to positions away from the fell back of the crossings and above the Warp threads while concurrentlyadvancing the crossings and in uncrossing the warp threads while holding the attached tuft ends at the fell and applying tension upon the free ends toward the fell. V

19. The method of weaving rugs having Persianknots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a'fell, heddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in increasing the normal pitch of the warp threads to anamount equal to the tuft yarn pitch in crossing the warp threads-in pairs; in placing tuft yarns in posiaway from t-he fellback of the crossings and, above the warp threads while concurrently ad-3' vancing the crossingsand in uncrossing the warp threads and beating up n the knots so formed against the fell.

The method of weaving" rugs having l?ersian knots in looms having warp threads meet-, ing at afell; heddles controlling the warp threads,

tuftyarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grip-pers adapted totake the tuft yarn from the tubes,'which' consists in feeding the tuft yarns ,into positions above the warp threads at "the fell, "concurrently crossing the pwarpthreads in pairs and passing the grippers down'between thewarp threads in the rear of the. crossings, in advancing the grippers toward the fell to advance the crossings and, concurrently tilting the grippers to ends, in gripping the tuft yarn ends, in pulling the tuftyarn through beneath the crossings from' end to'end and out from' the warp threads; un-

crossing the warp threads and in holdingboth' of the tuft yarn ends while beating up the knotsformed.

121'. The method} of weaving rugs having Per tuft yarn carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to. take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in feeding the tuft yarns into positions above the warp threads at the fell, in concurrently crossing the warp threads in pairs and passing the grippers down between the warpthreads in the rear of the crossings, in advancing the grippers toward the fell to advance the crossings and concurrently tilting the grippers to bring them into position to engage the tuft yarn ends, in gripping the tuft yarn ends, in pulling the tuft yarns through beneath the crossings from end to end and out from the warp threads While concurrently advancing the tuft yarn ends toward the fell, in uncrossing the warp threads and in holding both of the tuft yarn ends while beating up the knots formed.

22. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral extent of movement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs'on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers, in withdrawing the first set of car- ,riers and with them the ends of the tuft yarn,

beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings and in holding the tuft yarn while beating up the knots formed.-

23. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral displacement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers while transferring the crossings toward the fell by the first set of carriers, in withdrawing the first set of carriers and with them the ends of the tuft yarn, beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings and holding the tuft yarn while beating up the knots formed.

24. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral displacement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers, in withdrawing the first set of carriers and with them the ends of the tuft yarn, beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings while continuing to advance the crossings toward the fell by engagement of the first set of tuft yarn carriers and holding the tuft yarn while beating up the knots formed.

25. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral extent of movement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers, in withdrawing the first set of carriers and with them the ends of the tuft yarn beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings, in shifting the tuft yarn by the carriers toward the fell to advance the crossings and in holding the tuft yarn while beating up the knots formed.

26. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral extent of movement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the indi vidual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers while transferring the crossings toward the fell by the first set of carriers, withdrawing the first set of carriers and with them the ends of the tuft yarn beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings while continuing to advance the crossings toward the fell by engagement of the first set of tuft yarn carriers and in holding the tuft yarn while beating up the knots formed.

27, The method of weaving a rug in a loom having Warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral extent of movement of the first level of Warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers while transferring the crossings toward the fell by the first set of carriers, in withdrawing the first set of car riers and'with them the ends of the tuft yarn beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings while continuing to advance the crossings toward the fell by engagement of the first set of tuft yarn carriers, continuing to shift the tuft yarn by the carriers toward the fell to 40 further advance the crossings and in holding the tuft yarn while beating up the knots formed.

28. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two types of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the threads of the other pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to re- 55 duce the lateral extent of movement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the car- 60 riers beneath the crossings and up through open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers while transferring the crossings toward the fell by the first set of carriers, in, withdrawing the first set of carriers and with them the ends of the tuft yam beneath the crossings andv upwardly in the rear of the crossings while continuing to advance the crossings toward the fell by engagement of the first set of tuft yarn carriers, in holding the tuft yarn at both ends near the fell while inserting weft and in beating. up the weft and the knots formed.

29. The method of weaving a rug in a loom having warp threads, means for shedding the warp threads and two kinds of tuft yarn carriers, which consists in shedding the warp threads in pairs with corresponding threads of the pairs in one shed level and the other threads of the pairs in the other shed level, in dipping one set .of carriers between levels of the shed and moving them laterally to shift the warp threads of one level past the warp threads of the other level, then altering the relative positions of the carriers and of the warp threads of the second level, in shifting the carriers in the opposite direction to reduce the lateral displacement of the first level of warp threads and laterally to shift the warp threads of the second level, whereby the warp threads are crossed symmetrically in the individual pairs, in passing the ends of the carriers beneath the crossings and up through the open spaces between the threads of the respective pairs on the opposite sides of the crossings near the fell to receive tuft yarn from the other set of carriers while transferring the crossings toward the fell by the first set of carriers, in withdrawing thefirst set of carriers and with them the ends of the tuft yarn beneath the crossings and upwardly in the rear of the crossings while continuing to advance the crossings toward the fell by engagement of the first set of tuft yarn carriers, in continuing to shift the tuft yarn by the carriers toward the fell to further advance the crossings and in holding both ends of the tuft yarn while inserting weft and beating up the weft and the knots formed.

30. The method of weaving rugs having Persian knots, in looms having warp threads meeting at a fell, hcddles controlling the warp threads, tuft yarn, carrying tubes and tuft yarn carrying grippers adapted to take the tuft yarn from the tubes, which consists in pairing the warp threads,

in dividing the warp threads at the fell to space the warp threads of each pair further than their initial spacing, in feeding the tuft yarn ends to points above the warp threads close to the fell,

in crossing the warp threads in pairs, one thread of each pair with the other thread of its pair and holding them crossed, in pulling the tuft yarn ends through from front to back beneath and across the crossing while concurrently advancing the crossing points, in releasing the crossings, in shedding the warp threads, in inserting weft within the shed, in levelling the warp threads and in beating up the tuft yarn knots thus formed and the weft.

31. In a loom for weaving Persian knots, a plurality of warp threads arranged in pairs, a plurality of movable tubes one for each pair of warp threads, means for moving the tubes into position immediately above the warp threads close to the fell, means for crossing the warp threads, a plurality of movable grippers one for each pair of warp threads adapted to lie normally in position above the warp threads and back of the crossing points nearest to the fell, means for moving the grippers down between the warp threads and up again on the fell side of the crossings, a comb having one tooth for each pair of warp threads adapted to fit between the warp threads of the respective warp pairs and to separate these warp threads to give room for upward passage of the grippers, bringing together warp threads of different pairs and means for moving the comb to cause it to effect the spacing. 5

' WALTER A. RICE. FRANK G. SHINN. 

